MMAConvert.com

Greg Jackson knows how to get fighters prepared for battle, as the world-renowned trainer boasts several of the top names in MMA to his gym.

While UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre tends to spend more time at Tristar Gym in Canada, he still works with Jackson in preparation for fights.

Jackson recently appeared on Sherdog Radio to discuss the mindset of GSP as he prepares to face Nick Diaz at UFC 158 Saturday night.

Some have questioned GSP after the verbal tirade the two had during a conference call last week. Typically, St-Pierre is very quiet and doesn’t engage in such battles, but Diaz appears to have brought out a different side of the champion. Does Jackson believe it will cause any issues inside the Octagon?

“I don’t think so because Georges is so smart. I always say that, but I don’t know if people realize just how smart he really is. He understands the game extremely well. Even if he gets mad, he’ll be able to control it and keep his business his business. He’s incredibly smart, like off the charts smart. I think he’s going to be much too smart to fall for that.”

Jackson went on to say that he respects Diaz as a fighter, but that he “wouldn’t want to see Georges upset (heading into a fight). I’ll put it that way. He’s a son of a gun when he’s calm and rational. If you got him upset and he stays focused, that would be a very dangerous individual.”

Cesar Gracie, the head trainer and manager for Nick Diaz, has requested a flight upgrade for his fighter this coming March.

Diaz is scheduled to return from a suspension to face Georges St-Pierre for the UFC welterweight title. The card, UFC 158, goes down from Montreal on March 16.

Please tweet @danawhite to upgrade @nickdiaz209 flight to Montreal from economy to business class! Not too much to ask for…

— Cesar Gracie (@CesarGracieBJJ) February 20, 2013

No word yet from the UFC or White regarding the travel arrangements for the former Strikeforce champion.

I guess when you talk as much trash leading into a fight as Alistair Overeem does, you better make sure to back it up.

Otherwise, the “haters” are all going to come out.

Take Ramon Dekkers for example. He is a former coach of Overeem’s when he was with Golden Glory. The eight-time Muay Thai champion had some choice words for his former pupil following his loss to Antonio Silva this past weekend.

Alistair Overeem I thought we’ve teached him to take a beat like a man….not like a BITCH! twitter.com/diamonddekkers…

— ramon dekkers (@diamonddekkers) February 5, 2013

Overeem called out Silva in the days leading up to the contest, and Silva made sure to make him back in the third. “Bigfoot” caught him up against the fence and was relentless, firing off several right hands that knocked the former Strikeforce heavyweight champion out on his feet.

Spike TV made a big splash Wednesday announcing “Fight Master: Bellator MMA,” as the promotion will bring in former UFC champions Randy Couture and Frank Shamrock to serve as coaches.

Joining Couture and Shamrock will be Greg Jackson and ex-Bellator champion Joe Warren.

The series, which will feature welterweights, will begin taping soon and is expected to air this summer on Spike TV.

“As the fighters control their own destiny, they will need to utilize strategy in and out of the cage if they want to succeed and advance,” said Sharon Levy, the executive vice president of original series on Spike TV. “The stakes are high and the wrong decision, whether it is picking an opponent or fight camp can mean all the difference.”

The 32 fighters will select which coach they want to train with, while the finale of the tournament will air live on Spike TV. The winner will earn a spot in the next welterweight tournament.

Levy explained that the coaches and Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney will conduct a seeding of the 16 finalist that will be used to determine which fighter picks his fight first.

Couture, a former coach on The Ultimate Fighter when it aired on Spike TV said “this is a watershed moment to create more opportunity for more fighters in the sport of mixed martial arts.”

Nick and Nate Diaz are the obvious prodigies when Cesar Gracie’s camp is discussed, but he says he’s just as glad to work with Gil Melendez and Jake Shields.

Greg feels the fight between Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen will be more even than even than people think.

Matt Mitrione says he wishes he could have trained with them longer, but he feels his time spent with The Blackzillians was very beneficial.

Cesar talks about Nate’s performance but maintains that he thinks Nate did very well.

Greg talks to Bas about who Georges’ camp has been eying.

Fuel TV will continue to provide MMA fans with unprecedented access to training camps, as “Training Day: The Blackzilians” will debut Wednesday night at 11 p.m. ET.

The show, taped this time instead of the live format used for the first episode featuring the Tristar Gym, will give viewers a look inside the Florida-based camp.

Such UFC fighters Rashad Evans, Alistair Overeem and Vitor Belfort all call the gym home and will be featured. Also, Michael Johnson will disclose how the name “Blackzilians” came about.

“This is where we sharpen the tools to go to war to put on the fights that you like to see,” Evans said. “This is where we are becoming the best team in the world.”